Akina, Inc. hydrogel template technique used for dexamethasone-PLGA microparticle generation

PolySciTech (www.polyscitech.com) provides a wide array of research supplies. In addition to polymers there are hydrogel template kits and related accessories available (https://akinainc.com/polyscitech/currentResearch/microparticleFormulation/index.php) recently these kits were used to generate dexamethasone loaded microparticles and tested for treatment of vocal fold scarring. Read more: Kosinski, Aaron M., Jewel M. Pothen, Alyssa Panitch, and M. Preeti Sivasankar. "Dexamethasone Controlled Release on TGF-β1 Treated Vocal Fold Fibroblasts." Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology (2015): 0003489415570933. http://aor.sagepub.com/content/early/2015/02/07/0003489415570933.abstract

“Abstract:  Objective: Corticosteroids may be beneficial in treating vocal fold scarring. Current drug delivery methods do not permit controlled corticosteroid release. Here we investigate the effects of poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microparticles loaded with the corticosteroid dexamethasone in reducing collagen synthesis and inflammation in vocal fold fibroblasts treated with and without TGF-β1. Study Design: Experimental, in vitro study. Methods: PLGA microparticles of differing molecular weight and terminating moieties were synthesized using a hydrogel template method. The release of dexamethasone was characterized from these microparticles over 4 days. Based on the release studies, ester-terminated low molecular weight PLGA microparticles were loaded with dexamethasone and applied to TGF-β1 treated vocal fold fibroblasts for 4 days. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to assess the effects of released dexamethasone on collagen synthesis and inflammatory mediators. Results: COL3A1 and COL1A2 were significantly down-regulated after exposure to ester-terminated low molecular weight PLGA microparticles loaded with dexamethasone. The loaded microparticles also reduced interleukin-6 synthesis. Conclusion: These data show promise in using a PLGA microparticle-based delivery system to control dexamethasone release over 4 days. Our findings lay the groundwork for developing more effective treatments for vocal fold scarring.”